Extension-table.



No. 634,372. Patented Oct. 3, 1899. C. N. SMITH.

EXTENSION TABLE.

(Application filed Jan. 8, 1899.)

4 Sheats$haat I.

(No Model.)

Fizyl ang I m VENTOR Cifl'S mziiz WITNESSES A TTOHNE VS a: mmms warms co. PHGTO'LITNOY, WASHINGTON c m. 634,372. Patented on. 3, 1899. C. N. SMITH.

EXTENSION TABLE.

(Application filed Jan. 8, 1 899.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 (No Model.)

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WITNESS E5 :mrmnms FFI'ERS CDfi PHOYO-LIYNO WASHINGTON n c No. 634,372. Patented Oct. 3, I899. C. N. SMITH. EXTENSION TABLE.

(Application filed Jan. 3, 1899.)

4 Shaats8hoet 4,

(No Model.)

A TTOHNE VS PATENT ritten.

CHRIS N. SMITH, OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS.

EXTENSION-TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 634,372, dated October 3, 1899.

Application filed January 3, 1899. Serial No. 700,998. (No model.

To all Hill/0772, it may concern.-

Beitknown that I, CHRIS N. SMITH, residing at Elgin, in the county of Katie and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Extension-Tables, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in that class of extension-tables in which the extension-leaves or top sections are foldably connected to their extension-supports in such manner whereby to be stored up under the main or central top section of the table, and

- primarily this invention comprehends a novel construction of parts, whereby the two end sections can be moved inward with their top portions in the same horizontal plane and of such length that the two foldable top sections and their supporting-rails will occupy substantially the same longitudinal and transverse space of the center or fixed table-section.

Another feature of this invention lies in the novel arrangement'of the slides, whereby in their extended I or closed position they will run the full length of the table and be so disposed as to effecta more perfect and easy adjusting of the parts as also holding the several members constituting the extension or slidable sections from rattling or working loose.

Furthermore, this invention seeks toprovide, in combination with a central or main table-section having a storing-space under the top closed at the sides by pendent portions, extensible top sections hinged to their supporting-slide to fold in different horizontal planes and provided with a peculiar form of horizontal side members which are adapted to either fold fiat down on the said extension top section or to a vertical position pendent from such top sections to give the table when extended the appearance of a continuous top.

This invention also embodies a novel means for securing the supporting-legs to the tableframe and a novel manner of hinging the foldable and extensible top sections, whereby the several extensible and foldable parts when closed to slide into the main table will snugly fill and be held from lateral movement within the storing-compartment of the table.

In its subordinate'features this invention consists in certain details and peculiar combination of parts, such as will be first described and then specifically pointed out.- in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved table, the parts being in their closed position. Fig. 2 is an inverted perspective view of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the table, the extensible sections being closed in. Fig. at is a transverse section practically on the line 44: of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a similar transverse section, the extensible sections being in their drawn-out position. Fig. 6 is an inverted perspective view of the table, showing the end sections drawn out and one of the supplemental sections fitted in place. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of one of the extensible ends, showing the top portion thereof folded down in p0sition to be slid under the central orfixed tabletop section. Fig. 8 illustrates the said end section top member swung up in a plane with the said central or fixed top member. Figs. 9 and 10 are detail views taken from opposite sides of one of the hinged members for connecting the foldable top sections to their slides. Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section of the table extended. Figs. 12 and 13 are detail plan views illustrating different ways of arranging the slide members, as will hereinafter be more particularly referred to; and Figs. 14 and 15 are detail views illustrating the table-leg-attaching devices, which will hereinafter be particularly referred to. v Fig. 16 is a perspective view of one of the supplemental sections. Figs. 17 and 18 illustrate further modifications of the manner in which the slide members may be connected.

In the accompanying drawings Ihave shown my improved table as comprising a central or stationary section and two extensible sections, one at each end, and while such form of table I consider the most desirable it is obvious that for shorter-length tables but one extensible section may be employed.

The main or central part of the table comprises atop 1, which constitutes the complete upper part of the table when the center sections are closed in. The top section 1 has pendent sides 2 2, which form closure mem bers, for the compartment 3, having the seetion 1 as its top, the members 2 2 as its sides, and the cross-pieces 4 as its bottom, which pieces at 4 extend over and are secured to the under edges of the pendent members 2 2. The cross-picces 4t 4 form the supports forthe two main slide or runner guide bars 5,which extend the full length of the main table-section 1 and in the preferred construction are mounted on the top of the pieces 1 4 and made fast thereto, said bars 5 being further supported on a centrally-disposed transverse bar 6, to which the central leg 7 is attached, and which leg, as also the end legs 8, are secured to the top frame in the manner hereinafter specifically referred to. The bars 5 are located some distance from the sides 2 and form guides for the longitudinal slide or runner bars 9 9 and 9 9, of which one set is used for each end orextensible table-section.

It will be noticed by reference to Figs. 2 and 6 that the runners 9 of the end sections are made to slide in close contact with the fixed guides 5, the runners 9 of one end section engaging said guides 5 on the inner face, while the runners 9 on the other end section engage the said guides 5 on the outer face or side, such arrangementrendering the construction of the runners the more compact and rigid. For the smaller tables but two sets of runners and guides therefor need be used, but on larger-sized tables an additional set of runners and guide devices (see dotted lines, Fig. 2) is employed, which additional set is disposed centrally of the table to add increased rigidity thereto and also prevent the top sections warping or bulging down at the center.

To further increase the stability of the runners and slide devices, the slide-bars 5 have supporting member, as shown in Fig. 13, and,

furthermore, if desired, the runners 9 9 may travel freely against the guides 5 without the tongue'aud-groove connections, as indicated in the aforesaid Fig. 12, as the extensible sections have special members which also actas guides to hold the said extensible sections from rattling or lateral play on the main or central section of the table. The runners 9 9 are made sufficiently long, so that when the extensible sections to which they are joined are closed in they (the runners) will extend across the full length of the stationary or central tablesection, and thereby, in connection with the guides 5, form the solid longitudinal bearings for the table, which extend the full length thereof.

The extensible end portions of the table 5 section 1. and on its inner edge each section 10 has dowels 10 to engage with sockets 1 of the edges of the table-top section 1, whereby to hold the table-top sections the more secure. At the outer end each set of runners 9 9 carries a fixedly-held end piece 11, which is of a shape and depth like the pendent sides 2 of the main table-section, and said end pieces 11 serve a double function, as they form the end continuations of the pendent members 2 for closing in the chamber 3, giving the table the appearance of a solid body when the parts are closed in, and the said ends 11 serve as stops and braces for holding the top sections 10 solid to their upper or operative position, which position of the top sections 1.0 is further maintained by a novel form of hinge mechanism, the construction and operativeness of which, together with the end pieces 11, are best illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, by reference to which and to Figs. 2 and 6 it will be noticed the top section at the right hand of the table has a pair of longitudinal pendent-strips 12, so disposed as to fold inside of the runners 9 when the said section is closed down, it also having a pair of longitudinal strips 12, one at each end of the said section, the purpose of which will presently appear.

The table-section 10 before referred to is connected to the runner members 9 by four hinge members 13, a pair of which is secured to the strip 12 at one side and to the adjacent runner member 9, while the other pairis pivotally joined to the strip 12 at the opposite end of the section 10and to the opposite runner member 9. As all of the several hinge members are connected to the runner and table-top section alike, adetailed description of one will suffice for all.

Each hinge member, one of which is shown in detail in Figs. 9 and 10, consists of a cast plate having a lateral boss 13, which is adapted to be seated in the socket in the runner to which the member is attached, and thereby provide for a solid hinge-bearing and also make the securing of the same to the said runner the more firm and convenient, said securing being accomplished by a screw or bolt 14, as clearly shown in the drawings. The upper or outer end of the hinge member 13 is squared off at an acute angle to the transverse line of the said member, and the long end of such member has a lateral lug projecting in a direction opposite to the pivoting to facilitate pivotally connecting the said hinge member to its respective table-top strip Byconnecting the outer end of the hinge members at an angle, as described, it is obvious that when the top section 10 is swung upward the said hinge members 13 will be swung with their longitudinal axis to the rear of the line drawn vertically th rough theirpivot to such a degree that their outer angle edges will lie in a plane parallel with the runners,

and thereby form seats to support the tablesection 10 in its upper hinged plane; To re lieve said hinge members from undue strain, however, and to form a proper finish for the ends of the table, the table-sections 10 have their hinged members so connected to the runners that when the tablesections are swung to their upper hinged plane the outer ends of said sections willabutthe-end pieces 11 and rest on corner-cleats 15, thereby relieving'the hinge members from unnecessary strain. Furthermore, by providing hinge members of the character stated it is obvious that by drawing the extensible section outward, so their dowels will clear the sockets of the fixed table-section and to a point sufficient to permit the forward throw of the table-sections as they are moved to their lower horizontal position the hinge members will fold up in a plane with the runners, as clearly. shown in Fig. 7, bringing, as it were, the table-sections 10in a plane below the fixed table-top 1 and admitting of their being readily slid into the chamber 3 under the said fixed top 1.

The table-top sections 10 also have pendent side members 10, which when the extensible sections are drawn out form continuations of the said members 2 of the fixed table-section. The side members 10: are, however, pivotally connected to their respective table-top sections 10 in such manner that they can be readily folded fiat on the top thereof or to their vertical pendent positions, and for this purpose the edges of the table-sections 10 are recessed, as at 10,to form ways,in which linkarms 15 have play, said arms 15 being pivotally connected at one end to the said tablesections 10 and at the other to the side portions 10, as clearly shown in Fig. 4, by reference to which it will be seen that the pivotal connections of said link-arms are such as to admit of the end members 1U being folded either Hat on the top sections 10 or down to a vertical position, it being observed that the end strips 12 afford additional bearing-surface for the upper end of the said side.

members 10, which members are also provided with dowels 10 to engage sockets in the adjacent ends ofthe fixed pendent members 2. The strips 12 being disposed at the extreme ends of the table-section 10 at the right, they will, as the said section is slid into the chamber 3, slide closely against the side members 2, and thereby hold the extensible section X from lateral motion or Wabbling within the main'or stationarytable-section.

The other extensible sectionYis constructed precisely similar to the section X,excepting that the strips 12 are omitted, and the hinge members are secured directly to the outer strips 12*, said strips 12 in the said section Y being unnecessary, as the runner 9 straddles the outer faces of the guides 5, and thereby held adjacent the strips 12. It should be stated that in the best construction of my table the top sections 10 are of such length that when the sections X and Y are closed inward the said sections 10 will approximately meet at the center of the table; butas the runners O 9 are of a length equal the line of the stationary section of the table it permits drawing the table-sections-lO out to some distance away from the main table-section. This admits of the insertion of supplemental tabletop sections 16, which have pendent strips 17 arranged to seat on the runners and form a support for the said section 16. The section 16 is also provided with side portions 18, foldably connected thereto the same as the side members of the sections X and Y, and such sections are further provided with dowels and sockets, as shown.

It will thus be seen that by connecting the several parts in the manner described the table can be of a compact form, be quickly extended at either end or both ends, and also provided with detachable or supplemental top sections at one or both ends, if desired, thereby admitting of the said table being made of an extreme length. By forming the slides and foldable tops in the manner shown the same can be conveniently adjusted, so that the end sections can be always instantly closed in under the main or stationary tablesection.

While Ihave not shown it,itis manifestthat instead of making the table with two end sections the main or stationary partof the table may be provided with a central leg, with two end legs, and but a single extensible section provided with a pair of legs opposing the legs secured to the fixed part and having a foldable top of nearly the length of the main or stationary top. By this arrangement it will be observed that the table can be extended to a considerable length by merely pulling out the end section, whichwhen the table is closed has its topportion extending nearly the full length of the stationary part of the table.

In the drawings the table is shown with a central supporting-leg 7 and a pair of end legs 8, connected each to the sections X and Y. As a convenient means for attaching and detaching the legs for shipping I connect the several legs to the body portion of the frame in the manner best shown in Figs. 14 and 15,'by reference to which it will be observed'that the fastening means comprises a casting 20in the nature of an inverted-cup-shaped socket open at the bottom, as at 20, and at one side,.as at 20 the bottom terminating in inwardlyturned flanges 21, the upper faces of which incline upwardly from the opening 20 ,whereby to form wedges, and the widest portion of which terminate at the closed end of the socket, which end has a threaded boss 22. The upper end of the leg is made non-circular, whereby to freely slide into the socket from the open .end, it having grooves 25 in the sides to engage the wedge-flanges of the socket, said upper end having apertures in the direction of its length for the passage of the clamping-screw 26, which engages with the threaded boss of the socket, and at the outer end has a bearing engaging the washer-plate 31. It will be understood that by forming the upper end of the leg and the holdingsocket in the manner stated by tightening the screw the leg will be made to bind both in a vertical direction and laterally in the socket and be thereby held firmly, and yet capable of being quickly removed when desired.

Instead of connecting the slide members as shown in Figs. 12 and 13 they may be arranged as illustrated in Fig. 17, by reference to which it will be observed that in Fig. 17 the extensible slide member has a longitudinal T-slot which is adapted to engage the fixedly-held guide, which guide is made in the nature of an inverted T, or the two slide members may be connected as shown in Fig. 18, from which it will be seen that the fixed slide member has a lateral ledge 50,with which engages a lateral flange on the extensible slide member.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. An extension-table, comprising a fixed and extensible section, the fixed section having fixedly-held pendent sides and fixed runner-guides; the extensible sections having runners slid-able against the fixed guides, said extensible sections also having fixedlyheld pendent strips adapted to contact with the pendent sides of the fixed table when the extensible section is slid into a closed position, whereby to hold said extensible section from lateral movement, as specified.

2. In an extensible table, the combination with the fixed or central section having a top provided with pendent side members and an extensible section having longitudinal runners or bars slidable under the fixed table-top and having a top section hinged to the said runners to fold in different horizontal planes, said top section having foldable sides adapted to be extended in a vertical plane in line with the firm extensions of the sides of the fixed table-sections, and a supplemental top section having pendent strips adapted to engage the runner or slides of the extension -sections and support the said supplemental top and side members foldably connected to the said supplemental top to close down to a vertical plane and form continuatious of the extensible tops side members, all being arranged substantially as shown and for the purposes described.

33. In an extension-table, the combination with the extension slides or runners of tabletop sections having hinged connections with the said runners to fold in different horizontal planes,said connections comprisinghinged members pivotallysecured at theirlowerend to the runners, their upper ends being pivotally connected to the table-top at a point to the rear of the longitudinal axis of the hinged members, the outer ends of said hinged members being cut at an acute angle,whereby such ends will form supports for the said top when it is swung to its uppermost position as specified.

a. The combination in an extension-table as described, with the main table having pendent side members; of an extensible section having longitudinal runners slidableunder the top of the main table and having a foldable top section adapted to be swung in different horizontal planes, said top section having pendent ribs at its outer ends; link-hinges pivotally secured to the runners to swing down in a plane therewith, the upper ends of said hinges being pivotally secured to the pendent members of the foldable top, said pendent members forming guides to engage with the pendent sides of the fixed top tablesection when the extensible section is slid in, substantially as shown and for the purposes described.

5. The combination of the table of the character described, including an extensible section having a top portion foldable in (lilferent horizontal planes, said foldable top section having adjustable sides; link-arms connecting the sides to the body of the top section, said top section having seats or cut-out portions for said link-arms, said link-arms being pivoted to the ends of the foldable top section and movablein the cut-outportions thereof, all being arranged substantially as shown, whereby the end portions can be folded either fiat upon the top of the foldable top sections, or down in a vertical position over the sides thereof, substantially as shown and for the purposes described.

CHRIS N. SMITH.

Witnesses:

.TNo. L. ,I'IEALY, ZAox 'l. VAIL. 

